Electrical plug retainer

An electronic equipment rack assembly, comprising in combination:

• an electronic equipment rack for housing electronic equipment;
• a power distribution unit mounted to the electronic equipment rack, the power distribution unit being in power receiving communication with at least one power source and having a plurality of power outlets capable of being in power supply communication with electronic equipment via electrical cords;
• and
• an electrical plug retainer coupled to the power distribution unit and selectively securable to at least one of the electrical cords, the electrical plug retainer comprising:
• (A) a clamp having a first bracket movably coupled to a second bracket, the first bracket being movable between an electrical cord securing position and an electrical cord releasing position, wherein when the first bracket is in the electrical cord securing position, a portion of at least one electrical cord is fixedly positionable between the first and second brackets, and wherein the clamp further comprises a locking mechanism selectively engageable with the first and second brackets to maintain the first bracket in the electrical cord securing position;
• and
• (B) spacer arms coupled to the electrical cord clamp at a first end and to the power distribution unit at a second end generally opposite the first end.

A method for retaining a plug of an electrical cord in engagement with an interface of an electrical device, the method comprising:

• coupling a plug retainer having first and second brackets to the electrical device;
• clamping a portion of an electrical cord between the first and second brackets of the plug retainer;
• and
• maintaining said portion of the electrical cord in a spaced apart relationship with the electrical device.